In section 5.3 we explored how neurodivergence (strengths and needs) intersect with domestic abuse. While Neurodivergent people will experience (and will need to plan for) certain challenges in the home context, as outlined earlier, neurodivergence does not cause someone to be abusive and does not justify abusive or controlling behaviours. It is therefore important to help the client to understand the different intentions underpinning abuse and controlling behaviours, while supporting them to take responsibility for developing non-abusive coping strategies for managing discomfort and distress. In this section we will provide guidance around how to explore the motives behind the client’s behaviour (e.g., male entitlement, structuring the environment) and what constitutes abuse irrespective of intent. We will also provide guidance on how to explore coping strategies that are not abusive or controlling. This will ensure that the client is able to prevent and manage situations and environments that cause discomfort and distress in equitable ways and foregrounds individual responsibility (rather than entitlement to someone else’s regulation).
In this section we will cover two areas:
- 5.6a Unpicking intent and consequences.
- 5.6b Taking individual responsibility for regulation.